Quick detachable coupling or fitting



March 31, 1942. v H. w. FAIRCHILD 2,278,308

QUICK DETACHABLE COUPLING OR FITTING I Filec} De o. 11 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 2 6. a )l iv I i Z aa Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE QUICK DETACHABLE COUPLING on FITTING Barry W. Fairchild,Corry, Pa. assignor to Aero Supply Mfg. Co. Inc., Corry, Pa.

Application December 11, 1941, Serial N0. 422,577 v 8 Claims. (Cl.

This invention relates to a quick detachable fitting or connector forrods, tubes, cables or the like.

.vide a fittingor connector of this kind for coupling rods, tubes,cables or other movable or immovable elements together which includes aspring-pressed locking sleeve for normally holding the connector orfitting parts in locked or coupling position.

To the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter appear. theinvention consists of, the novel construction. combination and ar-Figure 2 is asectional view taken cn t he line 2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line.

i5 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a detailside elevation of a modified form of connectorfitting,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-6 of Figure 5,

Figure '7 isa detail side elevation of a modified form of clevis orcoupling hook,

Figure 8 is a further modification of a cable attaching part associatedwith this invention,

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary elevation oi a further modification of thisconnector, and

Figure ll is a sectional view taken on the line I I-I I of Figure 10.

Referring to the drawings. the numerals I0 and II designate generally apair of connector or clevis or hook I2 is formed with rounded endportions I4 and I5 to facilitate the insertion or removal of the clevisI2 from the coupling part III. a

The clevis I2 includes a flat shank I6 and a cylindrical or rounded'baseor hub H. An elongated axially disposed shank I8 extends from the baseor hub I1 and is provided with an axially disposed cylindrical socket-I9 for lightening the shank I8. A tube or the like is adapted totelescope over the shank I8 and abut against the base I1, being securedon the shank I8 by welding, brazing, pinning or other suitable fasteningIII ,ly engage.

means.

' The coupling part III comprises a shank 20 which is formed at itsinnerend with a pair of spaced apart arms 2| having the space 22therebetween a distance sufficient to readily admit the insertion of theclevis I2 therebetween. A transversely disposed coupling pin 23 isextended through the openings 24 which are formed -in the bifurcatedarms 2|, and this pin 23 is formed in the opposite ends thereof withaxiallydisposed recesses 25, so that the outer projecting ends of thecoupling pin 23 may be outwardly distorted or spread in order to providefor the holding of the pin 23 against endwise movement with respect tothe arms 2I.

The shank or coupling, body 20 at its outer end portion is provided withan outer flange or rib 26, and an expansible pring 21 is looselydisposed about the shank or body 20 and at one end engages against theinner side of the fiange or rib diametrically disposed and inwardlyopening slots 29 within which the outer projecting end portions of thecoupling pin 23 are adapted to loose- When the sleeve 28 is in a lockingposition for locking the clevis l2 in the. coupling rnember II], thesleeve 28 will be disposed in its innermost position with the oppositeends of the locking pin 23 engaged in the diainetric slots 29 as shownin Figures 1 and 2. In this locking position. the locking sleeve 28encompasses the inner end portions of the arms 2| and also encompassesthe clevis I2.

to the ends of a pair of push-pull tubes. rods or other elements. Theconnector part II comprises a hook or clevis I2 which is formed with alaterally opening slot I3. The inner end of the The coupling member IIIis provided with an axially disposed reduced diameter stem or shank 30and the shank or stem 30 is formed with an axially disposed socket 3ifor reducing theweight of the connector. and a tube or other element isadapted to telescope over the shank 30 and to be secured thereon by anysuitable fastening means. v

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a connector which issimilar in every detail to the connector shown in Figures 1 to 4inclusive, with the exception of the attaching means at the oppositeends of the connector parts. The connector shown in Figures 5 and 6includes a coupling member Illa similar in every detail to the couplingmember Ill, and a coupling or connector member Ila similar to thecoupling member II with the exceptions hereinafter described.

A clevis locking sleeve 28a is slidable on the shank or body 20a, beingconstantly urged to a locking position by means of an expansible spring21a. A clevis engaging or locking pin 23a is extended through the arms2la.of the shank 28a and is formed in every detail similar to the pin23a. The clevis 12a is similar to the clevis I2, but has formed integralwith the outer end thereof an elongated cylindrical shank or stem 32which is formed with an axially disposed socket 33. The outer end of thecylindrical socket 33 is flared as at 34 so as to facilitate theinsertion of a wire or small cable into the socket 33. The outer end ofthe shank or stem 32 may,

if desired, be compressed so as to tightly clamp the wire or cablewithin the socket 33, or if desired, any other suitable fastening meansmay be provided for firmly holding the wire, cable or the like withinthe socket 33. V

The coupling body 20a is formed at its outer end with a cylindrical body35 of less diameter than the diameter of the body 20a, and a furtherreduced diameter stem or shank 36 extends axially outwardly from thebody 35. The shank 36 is formed with an axial bore 31 which is flared asat 38 at its outer end. The body 35 is provided with a transverselydisposed cylindrical opening 39 outwardly from the flange 28a of thecoupling body 20a, so that a wire or cable may be extended through thebore 31 into the opening 39, and then pulled through one end of theopening 39 and wound about the body 35. If desired, however, the innerend of the wire or cable may be bent at right angles to the bore 31within the opening 39. and then welded, soldered or otherwise securedwithin the bore 31 and/or the opening 39.

In Figure '7, there is disclosed a further modiflcation of a clevisstructure wherein a clevis I2!) is disclosed similar to the clevis l2having a laterally extending slot 13b therein. A round shank 49 isformed integral with the clevis I21), and a threaded stem 41 is disposedaxially of the stem 49, and is preferably of a larger diameter than thediameter of the stem or shank 40. The threaded stem 4| is adapted toreceive a threaded coupling sleeve which may be connected with a rod,tube, cable or other element which is adapted to be fixed relative tothe clevis I2b.

In Figures 8 and 9, there is disclosed a further modified form of thisinvention wherein the coupling member Hlc, which is similar in everydetail to the coupling member I0, is provided with a reduced diametershank 42 extending from the flange or abutment 260. A flat stem 43 isformed integral with the shank 42 and extends outwardly therefrom, beingprovided with an opening 44 for receiving a locking pin or the like. I

In Figures and 11, there is also disclosed a further modification of thecoupling member l0 wherein the coupling member [8d, which is simi lar tothe coupling member, is provided with an outwardly extending'shank 45.The shank- 45 has formed integral therewith a pair of spaced couplingarms 46 forming a space 41 therebetween within which a connector elementsimilar to the connector element 43 may be received. The spaced arms 46are provided with axially alignedopenings 48 for receiving a couplingpin of conventional construction.

In the use and operation of this detachable 22 between the arms 2| andengage with the to facilitate the ready movement of the sleeve 28 on theshank 20. When the sleeve 28 is released, the spring 21 willautomatically move the sleeve 28 inwardly to a locking position, inwhich position the outer ends of the locking pin 23 will be receivedwithin the diametrically opposed slots 29. Preferably, the clevis I2 isformed with straight oppositesides 50 and 5|, so that when the clevis I2is in a coupling position, the clevis will be firmly held by means ofthe locking sleeve 28 against lateral movement with respect to thecoupling member ID.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector comprising a pair of separable members, one of saidmembers comprising a clevis, coupling means carried by said clevis, theother of said members comprising a cylindrical body, a pair of spacedapart arms integral with and extending from an end of said .body, a pinextending between said arms and also extending laterally thereof, anannular flange on said body, a cylindrical locking sleeve slidable onsaid body and said arms, said sleeve having a pair of diametricallydisposed slots in which the lateral extensions of said pin areengageable, a spring between said flange and said sleeve for normallyurging said sleeve to locking position, and coupling means carried bysaid body and extending from the latter oppositely from said arms.

2. 'A connector comprising a pair of separable members, one of saidmembers comprising a clevis formed with parallel opposite edges and aslot opening through one of said edges, coupling means carried by andextending from said clevis, the other of said members comprising acylindrical body, a pair of spaced apart arms integral with andextending from an end of said body, a pin. extending between said armsand also extending laterally thereof, an annular flange on said body atthe opposite end thereof, a cylindrical locking sleeve slidable on saidbody and said arms, said sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposedslots in which the lateral extensions of said pins are engageable, aspring between said flange and said sleeve for normally urging saidsleeve to a locking position, and coupling means carried by said bodyand extending from the latter oppositely from the arms, said sleeve whenin locking position encompassing said clevis and maintaining said cleviswith the coupling means carried thereby in axial alignment with saidbody.

3. A connector comprising a pair of separable members, one of saidmembers comprising a clevis provided with parallel opposite edges and aslot opening through one oi said edges, a cou-' pling shank carried byand extending from said clevis, the other of said members comprising acylindrical body, a pair of spaced apart arms integral with andextending from an end of said body, said clevis being loosely engageablebetween said arms, said clevis having a width substantially equal to thediameter of said body, a pin extending between said arms and alsoextending laterally thereof, said clevis engageable with said pin, anannular flange on the opposite end of said body, a cylindrical lockingsleeve slidable on said body and said arms, said sleeve having a 'andsaid arms, said sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposed slots inwhich the lateral expair of diametrically opposed slots in which thelateral extensions of said pin are engageable, a

spring between said flange and'said. sleeve for I normally urging saidsleeve to a locking position, and a coupling member carried by said bodyand extending from the latter oppositely from the arms, said sleeve whendisposed in looking position encompassing said arms and said clevis andmaintaining said clevis in axial alignment with the axis of said body.

4. A connector comprising a pair of separable members, one of saidmembers comprising a clevis having parallel opposite edges and a slotopening through one of said edges, a threaded coupling means carried bysaid clevis, the other of said members comprising a cylindrical body, apair of spaced apart arms integral with and extending from an end ofsaid body, a pin extending between said arms and also extendinglaterally thereof, said clevis extending loosely between said arms andengaging said pin, an annular flange on said body oppositefrom saidarms, a cylindrical locking sleeve slidable on said body and said arms,said sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposed slots in which thelateral extensions of said pin are engageable, a spring between saidflange and said sleeve for normally urging said sleeve tolockingposition, and a coupling shank carriedby said body and extending fromthe latter oppositely from said arms.

5. A connector comprising a pair of separable and also extendinglaterally thereof, said lateral.

extensions having an inwardly extending recess therein whereby saidextensions may be expanded to maintain said pin against endwise movementrelative to said arms, said clevis loose- 1y engageable between saidarms and about said pm, a cylindrical locking sleeve slidable on saidbody and said arms, said sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposedslots in which the lateral extensions of said pin are engageable, a

spring between said flange and said sleeve for normally urging saidsleeve to locking position, and coupling means carried by said body andextending from the latteroppositely from said arms.

6. A connector comprising a pair ofv separable members, one of saidmembers comprising a clevis having parallel opposite side edges, a'slotopening through one of said edges, couplin means carried by said clevis,the other of said members comprising a cylindrical body, an antensionsof said pin'are engageable, a spring between said flange and said sleevefor normally urging said sleeve to locking position, and a pair. ofspaced apart coupling arms extending from said body oppositely from saidfirst named arms and formed with aligned openings therethrough. 7. Aconnector comprising a pair of separable members, one of said memberscomprising a clevis having parallel opposite side edges, a slot openingthrough one of said edges, coupling means carried by said clevis, theother of said members comprising a cylindrical body, an annular flangeon said body, a pair of spaced apart arms integral with andextendingfrom an end of said body, a pin extending between said arms andalso extending laterally thereof, said lateral extensions having aninwardly extending recess therein whereby said extensions may beexpanded to maintain said pin against endwise movement relative to saidarms, said clevis loosely engageable between said arms and about saidpin, a cylindrical locking sleeve slidable on said body and said arms,said sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposed slots in which thelateralextensions of said pin are engageable,,a spring between saidflange and said sleeve for. normally urging said sleeve to lockingposition, and a flat coupling member integral with and extending fromsaid body oppositely from said arms, said coupling member being formedwith an opening therethrough.;

'eral extensions having an inwardly extending recess therein wherebysaid extensions may be expanded to maintain said pin against endwisemovement relative to said arms, said clevis loosely engageable betweensaid arms and about said pin, a cylindrical locking sleeve slidable onsaid body and said arms, said sleeve having a pair of diametricallyopposed slots in which the lateral extensions of said pin areengageable, a spring between said flange and said sleeve for normallyurging said sleeve to locking position, and a coupling shank carried byand extending fromsaid body oppositely from said arms, said shank havingan enlarged inner end portion formed with a. transversely disposedopening therethrough, and a reduced outer shank portion formed withan'axial bore communicating with said opening.

HARRY w. FAIRCHILD.

